The official blog of the American Le Mans Series GT team, Team Falken Tire

Monday, June 25, 2012

Co-Drivers Bryan Sellers and Wolf Henzler: The Two-Man Wolf Pack Committed to be the Best

After two years of competition
together as co-drivers, Team Falken Tire racers Bryan Sellers and Wolf
Henzler’s relationship shows maturity beyond its years. Nearly attached at the
hip on American Le Mans Series race weekends, the two race car drivers are
rarely spotted apart. After sessions in the car, they’re found in the team rig,
analytically discussing the technical details of the car and Falken Azenis RT Slicks.
In interviews, they are completing each other’s sentences and sharing
secretive, knowing looks. During their
down time at the track, they can be found pulling fun practical jokes on
unsuspecting victims. Co-drivers of the 2012 #17 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR on track
and best friends off track, this duo is a shining example of two racers who can
work calmly through stressful situations and still manage to have fun.

After being acquaintances for
some time, the duo’s first meeting as Falken Tire co-drivers took place at
Sebring International Raceway for the Team Falken Tire Winter Test of 2010. Bryan
Sellers ran all three of Falken’s ALMS races in 2009 and returned to compete in
the team’s full season campaign with new co-driver Wolf Henzler. “We met before but never really had a chance
to talk,” said Bryan. “But in this sport, you know who the people are in the
paddock.” Because of Wolf’s reputation as a Porsche Factory driver, Bryan was
eager to have the German join the team.
Seeing Wolf as an asset to the team, Bryan was at ease with his new
co-driver, despite never driving with or even being in the same room as him.

As most drivers would, Wolf felt
unsure of what to expect. “Sometimes when you get to a new team and you get a
new co-driver, and it takes a while, sometimes half a year, until you get along
with him.” This was not the case, as
Wolf recalled the pair immediately got along. “We had the same thoughts and
same ways of thinking that it didn’t take long at all. After Sebring, we were
already really far in our relationship.”

How can two almost-strangers
quickly become so close? Bryan credits it to the shared scheduling, similar
lifestyles and high pressure situations that co-drivers endure in a typical
race weekend. “We share a lifestyle that not many people can understand.
Automatically you have a close connection from the beginning.” With on and off track obligations, it will be
a rare sighting to see Bryan and Wolf apart. “I don’t think people get how much
time we spend together. We have breakfast, lunch and dinner together; at the
end of the race, you have drinks together.”
Unlike other race series, in the American Le Mans Series, these two
drivers are not racing for the same team and competing against each other, they
share the same cockpit of the same race car. Every move they each make on track
is for not only the team but their co-driver as well. “For me, what makes the
biggest difference with Wolf is his commitment to be the best,” said Bryan. “I
know that no matter how hard I work he works every bit as hard as I do. He’s
always thinking about what to do to make something better. That’s not just in
the car; it’s everything, all the time.
He’s someone you can trust and someone you can rely on.”

“I trust Bryan blindly,” said
Wolf. “Whatever he does I trust him. If
Bryan says, for example, for the set-up we have to do this change, without
driving the car, I would trust him.” A unique aspect to the duo’s relationship,
setup or car feedback is something they have yet to disagree on. “That’s the
good thing about having the same area of feedback,” said Bryan. “Your window to improve the car is much
larger. There’s never been a time where we’ve looked for something different in
the car.” Although their views on specific details may differ slightly, but
their ability to compromise and meet in the middle helps benefit the whole.
“There’s never been a time when one of us has come in from a session and said
‘Well, I can’t drive it this way,’ or ‘I can’t drive it that way,’ and unfortunately,
that does happen with a lot of drivers.

“It’s always better if you get
along with somebody as a friend,” said Wolf. “If you have a co-driver you don’t
like, then you don’t enjoy the sessions, the driver changes—none of it.” The
relationship of these two certainly does not remain strictly business. Unbeknownst to many outsiders, Wolf has a
prankster streak, one which has subsequently rubbed off onto Bryan. “One of our
best pranks was when we put Wasabi in a team member’s coffee mug,” remarked a
smirking Wolf. The troublesome co-drivers
have the same sense of humor, often sharing secretive looks followed by bursts
of laughter. “The good thing for me is
he’s always in a good mood,” said Bryan. “Even mornings or days when I’m not,
it makes it easier.” Speaking of easier, in an effort to cut down on costs when
he’s in the United States, Wolf is even a part of a family cell phone plan with
Bryan’s wife, Jamie Howe. “He’s part of the family plan, but I’m not,” joked
Bryan. “He and Jamie are the family.”

“Sometimes when you get to a new
team and you get a new co driver, you don’t know him very well, and the relationship
depends on his character,” said Wolf. “He lives in the United States and I live
in Germany. It’s a big distance, but we talk on the phone between races and
frequently send emails back and forth.”

“We were lucky,” said Bryan.
“I’ve driven with Wolf longer than I’ve driven with anyone in my career. I’ve
driven with people where you never get to the point where you never have a
working relationship. You just co-exist. Here, you always want to take the
extra step when they’re your friend. If I needed help, it wouldn’t be a chore
for him to help me. He’d do it because he wanted to help, not because we’re on
the same team and he had to help. That’s kind of what it’s all about.”

Team Falken Tire next races at Lime Rock Park in the American Le Mans Series July 6-7.

Team Falken Tire News

- Team Falken Tire and the Austin Hatcher Foundation are teaming up to hold a twitter auction with all proceeds going to benefit families with children suffering from pediatric cancer. The auction will take place on June 28th at 6:00pm Eastern. For more details visit http://www.hatcherfoundation.org and follow @AustinHatcherFo and @FalkenALMS on twitter.

About Team Falken Tire

The official blog of the American Le Mans Series GT team, Team Falken Tire. Managed by Derrick Walker, with American driver Bryan Sellers and German Porsche Works driver Wolf Henzler racing the 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Follow us on twitter at @FalkenALMS.
http://www.falkentire.com/wegetyougoing/motorsports